And Dave Stone, of Wylam Brewery and Greenan Blueye, which owns the city’s Town Wall and Bridge Tavern pubs, who put the festival together, said the response was such that he hopes it can return for years to come.

“It was nice to see so many people having a good time – our aim was always to have an event that was accessible to people who were not necessarily ‘beer geeks’ and take them on a journey to introduce them to some amazing beers.

“My favourite was the Hell’s Porter, a chilli beer from the Liverpool Craft Beer Company, and also Jakehead Embryo, Wylam’s IPA, which was casked straight from the fermenter, without conditioning. It was interesting to taste that beer before it had taken its full journey and how different it was.

“It was also great to see talks like the regional brewers panel, with them all sitting down together and discussing craft beer in Newcastle and the North East.”

Dave said that the positive response to this year’s festival meant it will definitely return next year.